Efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG laser-assisted delivery of topical anesthesia in the oral mucosa.

Abstract

Lasers which can reduce epithelium thickness will enhance the penetration of topical drugs. To date, no study has assessed the efficacy of this technique in the oral mucosa. The aim of this study was the evaluation of efficacy of this technique in increasing the effect of topical anesthesia in the oral mucosa. On 20 volunteers, half of the lower lip mucosa was irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 2780nm wavelength and 1.3J/cm2 energy for 1min; then, topical lidocaine was applied on the entire lower lip mucosa. After 5min, a 27-gauge needle was inserted to each half of the lip mucosa, and the length of the needle inserted into the mucosa without feeling pain was considered the depth of insertion. This measurement was repeated every 15min for 1h. The mean depth of anesthesia at the control side was 6.95 ± 2.43, 8.45 ± 4.05, 6.5 ± 3.00, and 3.85 ± 2.08mm at 5, 20, 35, and 60min, respectively. These values at the test side were 12.25 ± 5.42, 13.25 ± 5.02, 11.4 ± 5.03, and 9.10 ± 5.84mm, respectively. According to repeated-measures ANOVA, the effect of the type of the treatment on the depth of insertion was significant (P < 0.001). The results showed that irradiation of Er,Cr:YSGG laser before the topical application of the anesthetic agents on the oral mucosa increases their efficacy. Topical anesthesia is used to enhance dental procedures painlessly, but there is controversy in their efficacy. Laser-assisted drug delivery to the oral mucosa can enhance their efficacy.